I can't believe we're already in country #9! The trip is seriously flying by - I really need it to slow down!! It's strange because even though it's country 9, we're going to be in Australia and New Zealand much longer than any other country. Good thing - still 5 1/2 more weeks of adventuring to go!
We got to the airport and were immediately pleased with metro service (MRT) around the city. For $2.80 each we were able to get tickets from the train to our metro stop. Then again, it helps when your country is smaller than New York City (seriously - NYC is 789 square km, Singapore is 719!) In our 20 minute metro ride from the airport to our hotel stop in the middle of Singapore, we basically traversed about 1/4 of the country. Absolutely crazy.
We checked into our hotel, put our bags down, and then ventured out for the rest of the day/night. First thing was first - lunch. We ate at a "hawker station" aka a food market where there are lots of vendors in a very small area. At the airport we had gotten a free map of the city which included a list of the top things to eat while in Singapore - pretty awesome when looking to eat local cuisine! Our meal? Traditional Singapore chicken rice. It sounds plain, but honestly it's so much more delicious than just chicken and rice. The chicken is roasted so it has a really crispy outside, and then marinated in a delicious broth, which you then pour over the rice. Cost of lunch for 2 people? $6. We'll take it ;-).
Our next stop was Bugis Station, one of the closest MRT stops to our hotel. It took 20 minutes to walk there, where we found a HUGE outdoor market selling everything from clothes to souvenirs to food/juices to fortune telling and massages on the street. It was also decorated for the Chinese New Year.
After wandering around a bit, we began our quest to reach the Night Safari. We had heard that the Night Safari was one of the top attractions in Singapore, so we were quite intrigued. Not knowing much about it (besides that we'd get to see tigers and more leopards!) we headed to the north of the country.
We got to the MRT station and approached the machine to buy tickets to our stop. First, we had to change money, because the machines only accept $2 and $5 bills (Singapore dollars, of course). We exchanged the money at the information desk (because why would they sell tickets at the desk? No, just money exchange, no tickets for sale here!) We then went to the machines to purchase our tickets. We input our money, input all the correct information...and then nothing happened.
No tickets. No receipt. Nothing.
We went back to the guy who had just helped us and explained what happened. He told us he'd have to check the back of the machine to see if the "money had already been processed" aka - did the machine accept the money and just not spew out tickets, or was it still in the top of the machine. We'd now been talking to him for about 4 minutes. Next, he went to the back of the machine and opened it. After being gone for about another 5-10 minutes, he told us that the machine had already accepted the bills and there was no way we could get them back.
We asked if he could issue us new tickets.
He said no.
We asked if we could get a refund right now.
He said no.
We asked what we could do since we hadn't done anything wrong and the machine had just straight up eaten our money.
He told us we could fill out paperwork, and then return to the station in 14 days to claim our refund from the MRT. After explaining to him for several minutes that we were only in Singapore for 2 days, he told us there was nothing he could do.
Awesome.
Singapore had been off to a great start, but that certainly put a damper on the day. It wouldn't even have been that bad if he hadn't made it seem the whole time like we were going to be able to get a refund...so instead we lost money AND time while waiting about 20 minutes at the station for this dude to tell us that there was nothing he could do. UGHHHHHHHH.
We purchased new tickets and decided that things were going to get better and we'd just write it off as a funny happening. Ok. Moving on.
We got to our metro stop and needed to board a bus. We got on the bus and rode about 45 minutes to the entrance to the Night Safari. On the way, it started raining. HARD. And OF COURSE we had forgotten our ponchos, rain jackets, and I didn't have my rain cover for my camera bag. WINNING.
Today was not our day.
We arrived at the Night Safari entrance around 5 and it was still downpouring. Fortunately, there was an overhang, so at last we were dry for the time being!
The ticket counter didn't open until 5:30, so we hung out and waited as the crowds got larger. At 5:30 they opened the doors, everyone rushed in, and we bought tickets to enter the park...at 7:15... The people at the Night Safari really know what they're doing. Basically, everyone rushes in in order to make sure they get a timed ticket for a tram ride (which are at 7:15, 8:15, and 9:15) and then once you get in... there is NOTHING else around, and you are basically forced to spend 2 hours doing nothing besides eating at their restaurants and shopping. VERY SNEAKY NIGHT SAFARI. VERY SNEAKY.
We decided we weren't going to be bamboozled like that. We wandered around and looked at everything, but didn't purchase a thing. We decided after about an hour that we'd buy smoothies to hold us over, then when we left we would buy food back in the city. Two smoothies? $15. UGH NIGHT SAFARI.
It rained continuously from 5:30 to 7:30. Knowing that the tram was covered, but all the walking trails were not, we kept crossing our fingers that SOMEHOW it would stop raining by 7:30...and it did! Around 7:15 the rain finally began to subside, leaving us quite happy that we'd be able to explore all the exhibits without worrying about getting soaking wet!
At 7:15 they opened the gates to the tram area...and again, they were FLOODED with people. Their system seemingly made no sense - there were 4 different loading areas for trams, but there was no difference between them, and sometimes trams would stop in front of yours but they were already full of people, and sometimes empty ones would just drive right by. It was confusing. And frustrating. As we waited until about 7:45 to get on a tram, now having been at the park for about 2 1/2 hours and not having seen a SINGLE animal. Batting 1000 here.
Once we got on the tram, things REALLY perked up. Thank heaven! We rode the tram for 45 minutes as our guide pointed out the various animals all around and we got to see TONS of different animals. While the entire park itself is basically just a glorified zoo (AND despite the fact that we had just come from a month-long safari journey), we both thought it was a pretty cool experience. It was awesome seeing the animals pretty up close, and mostly awake. Almost all of the animals at the Night Safari are nocturnal, with many hunting at night (although here they don't hunt, they are fed, yet it still means they're quite active and alert at night). It's a very cool concept for an animal park and we highly recommend it if you find yourself in Singapore!
We also got a glimpse of this sign, which made us super excited for Australia...
After our tram trip, we were able to walk around on their walking paths between the different exhibits where we saw some of the smaller animals including porcupines, pangolin, mousedeer, bats, flying squirrels, and wallabys, in addition to the larger animals such as sloth bears, lions, tigers, and leopards.
As we were wandering around, we realized our mistake. The smoothies were not enough food to tide us over. We were going to have to buy dinner in the park. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
We headed back to the front of the park just in time to catch the fire breathing show! Three fire breathers put on a show for about 15 minutes that involved LOTS of fire and heat, as well as one VERY brave tourist who they invited to join in on the action!
After the show was over, we stopped by the cafe for burgers (BOOOOOO having to eat in the park!) before hailing a cab for our hotel. With an exhibit that only really opens at 7:15, we didn't get in the taxi til after 10, nor arrive at our hotel until after 11. It is definitely bedtime right now.
Jess' highlight of the day: Chicken Rice and the fire show
Jon's highlight of the day: Night Safari
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